PS 3507 
.R42 M 
1919 
Copy 1 



^SHALUIS 

(The Promise of a New Day) 

it 

A SKETCH 

BY 

JANE DRANSFIELD 

Author of The Lost Pleiad 

The Romance of Melrose Hall 

The White Window, etc. 




PUBLISHED BY 

NEAR EAST RELIEF 

I MADISON AVENUE. NEW YORK CITY 



P53507 



COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY JANE DRANSFIELD 

WITH ALL SCENARIO AND ALL 
PUBLICATION AND DRAMATIC 
RIGHTS, BOTH PROFESSIONAL 
AND AMATEUR, OUTSIDE 
OF ITS USE FOR NEAR 
EAST RELIEF, RESERVED 



i^ 



CI.D 5-3301 



m -^ >^^^ 



fV\ " \ 



CUGGESTIONS for the production of 
^ this sketch and the music for the 
songs will be found in the Appendix. If 
the details of the sketch can be carried 
out according to the descriptions, the 
effect will be a faithful picture of Arme- 
nian life in a mountain village in the 
Caucasus. If production is not possible, 
it may be read by a dramatic reader. 



PRONUNCIATIONS 

[a as in father; e as in men; i as in fatigue; o as in port; u as in truth; 
d, e, i, 0, u, accent equal on all syllables.] 

Ar sha luis (pronounce the last syllable like loose. In 
Armenian the word means the light on the horizon in 
the morning, or the promise of a new day). 

Bad vel i (meaning pastor) Mar di ros ian. 

Dik ran A ra kel ian. 

San tought (ou as o in do), 

M-h med. 

Sha kir. 

Has so. 

A li. 

Tak usch (rhyme with bush). 

A ra xi. 

Nun e far. 

Za TOO hi {oo as o in do), 

Mel kon. 

Bo ghos. 

Ar am. 

Mar gos. 

ig dir. 



CHARACTERS 

Badveli Mardirosian, pastor in the village of Igdir. 
DiKRAN Arakelian, a mountain refugee. 
Aunt Santought, housekeeper to the pastor. 
Major Daniels, district commander of Erivan. 
Lieutenant Arakelian, interpreter to Major Daniels. 

sS^r' } Turkish soldiers. 

f Girls — Takusch, Araxi, Nunefar, 
Zaroohi. 



Refugee children. 



Boys — Melkon, Boghos, Aram, 
Margos. 



Other Turks and Kurds. 



PLACE 

The parsonage at Igdir in Armenia, in sight of 
Mount Ararat. 



Mount Ararat. 

TIME 
The present. 



ARSHALUIS 



[Scene. — The living room of the parsonage of Badveli 
Mardirosian. Sim-ply furnished ^ hut harmonious and 
artistic in effect. To the right a curtained doorway 
leading to the kitchen. To the left a wooden door open- 
ing in the center^ and leading by steps down into the 
garden. To the rear center a window with four panes 
of glasSf each division opening in. To the right and 
left of the window divans with covers of blue and white. 
The curtains at the doorway and the window are of 
similar blue and white design. On the divans large 
cushions covered with materials of soft colors. There 
are no chairs. The window sill is deepy and, with 
cushions at the sides, serves for a seat in addition to 
the divans. Worn Turkish rugs on the floor. No 
pictures on the walls, but to the left rear hangs an illus- 
trated Bible scroll. To the right front a copper brazier 
in which charcoal is burning. There are hooks to the 
left, on one of which hangs a man's fez. 

It is late afternoon of a fall day. The window rear is 
open, and through it is seen a garden wall covered with 
grape vines, and in the distance the snowy peak of 
Mount Ararat. The door, left, is open. 

Before the curtain rises children are heard singing 
the verses of the game ^^Oats and Beans and Barley 0." * 

'^Oats and beans and barley O! 
Do you or I, or any one know, 
How oats and beans and barley grow? *' 

On the last line the curtain rises. Badveli Mardi- 
rosian is disclosed standing in the center of a ring of 
children, who are circling about him and singing. The 
tragic experiences through which all have passed have 
left their mark. The children are pitifully thin, and 
wear makeshifts for garments, without shoes or stockings. 
They are, however, cheerful and happy, forgetting their 
misery, as children will. Badveli Mardirosian, for 
their sake, is entering heartily into the game, Margos, 
evidently by mistake, is wearing a fez.] 

• For music, see Appendix. 

5 



Children 

[Singing as they circle.] '' First the farmer sows his seed." 
[Stop circling J pretend to scatter seed.] 

"Then he stands and takes his ease." [Stand at ea^e.] 

"Stamps his foot and claps his hands." [Stamp feet 
and clap hands.] 

"Turns him round to view the land." [Eax^h child 
whirls around, then all rush toward Badveli and turn him 
about, until he holds up his hands in protest. Then they 
stop, laughing and out of breath.] 

Badveli 

Splendid! "The farmer sows his seed." A prophecy! 
The new game you have taught Badveli this afternoon 
truly is a wonderful prophecy. Again in Armenia the 
farmer shall be sowing seed and reaping grain. 

Takusch 

Then we ^11 have everyi^hing nice, as we used to have. 
[Clasps her hands joyously.] 

BOGHOS 

[Displays his ragged trousers.] Don't look much like it 
now, does it? 

Badveli 

We must have faith, Boghos, like Abraham. Now, who 
will be a farmer when he grows up? 

Margos 
[Steps forward.] My father was a farmer. I will. 

Badveli 
Fine! And who will be a merchant? 

Boghos 
Right here. 

Takusch 
I will own a factory, and make rugs. 

Boghos 
You're a girl. [Scornfully.] 

Takusch 
I didn't say I wasn't, did I? 

e 



Badveli 
How about you, Melkon? 

Melkon 
A printer, to make books. 

Badveli 
Excellent! And Nunefar? 

NUNEFAR 

I would like to teach school. [Shyly.] 

Badveli 
And little Araxi? 

Araxi 
I will be the mother of seven children, like my mother 
was. 

Badveli 
[Lays his hand on Aram's headj who is smallest of all.] 
What will my big Aram be? 

Aram 
[Draws himself up provdly, shakes off Badveli's hand.] 
I will be the President of the new Armenian Republic. 

Badveli 

Good! Now everything is settled. But where is our 
Zaroohi, to tell us what she will be? 

Araxi 

I know what Zaroohi will be. She will be a beautiful 
lady, and sing songs. 

Badveli 

Margos, come here. [Margos approaches Badveli.] 
To wear the fez in the house is the sign we acknowledge 
the Turk as ruler. [Margos snatches off the fez. Badveli 
points to the hook at the left where his fez hangs. Margos 
crosses and tries to hang up the fez. He is not tall enough. 
Badveli hangs it up for him.] 

Melkon 
Dr. Ussher of Van taught us boys a better game than 
"Oats and Beans." You'd like it, Badveli. There's a 
ball and a bat, and the pitcher throws the ball — so 
[imitates pitching a ball]^ and the batter hits it [imitates 
hatting], and theil you run like a goat to base. 



Badveli 
What! Badveli Mardirosian run like a goat? When 
I^m nearly as old as Noah when he came down from the 
Ark out there on Mount Ararat? [Crosses to the windoio 
as he speaksy and points out to Mount Ararat in the distance. 
Children cluster around him^ laughing. He seats himself 
on the divan J right.] 

NUNEFAR 

Oh, but Noah was six hundred years old. 

Badveli 
I only said nearly as old, Nunefar. 

[Enter Aunt Santought, left, carrying a jar 
of water on her shoulder. Aram, Takusch 
and Margos run to her.] 

Badveli 
[Hopefully.] Santought, Santought, what news? [Rises.] 

Santought 
[Advances, shaking her head.] Nothing, Badveli, nothing. 
It is no use waiting by the well any longer. I have looked 
down the road till my poor eyes were weary. No one is 
in sight, no one. The Relief won't bring us food and 
clothes to-night. 

Aram 
Oh, but perhaps they will. It isn't night yet. 

Santought 
They have forgotten us, I guess. [Crosses, right; places 
the water jar down on the floor by the wall near the door.] 

Badveli 
No, Santought, never that. The Near East Relief 
Committee would not forget us. The American ship may 
have been delayed. 

Santought 

Perhaps. Or else there are others more needy than we, 
they think. 

Badveli 
As Aram says, it is not night yet. But, Santought, 
where is Zaroohir I have missed her this past half hour. 
I thought she might have been with you. 

8 



Santought 

[Stands at the doorway^ right, about to exit.] Ah, Badveli, 
you are a good shepherd of your flock. But never fear. 
Zaroohi is safe. [A tender smile comes over her face.] Wait 
till you see her. Only I hope it wasn't a sin for me to 
have kept back the pretty clothes from the children. But 
it's twenty years I've treasured them. Twenty years! 

[Exit Santought, right. Badveli warms his 
hands at the brazier; two or three children 
join him. Takusch and Boghos sit on 
the window sill. Takusch looks down.] 

Takusch 

Down there, where the river runs, is where the Garden 
of Eden used to be. 

Boghos 
Don't you suppose I know that? 

Takusch 

[Points up.] Look, Boghos! The clouds are lifting from 
the mountain. We may be able to see the Ark. 

Boghos 
Silly! The Ark isn't there now. [Nevertheless, he cranes 
his head to look out of the window, arid up.] 

Takusch 

Yes, it is. My grandmother said that once on a clear 
day, when the clouds lifted, she saw it. It looked hke a 
big boat. Badveli, you have seen Noah's Ark, haven't 
you? 

Badveli 

[Shakes his head, smilingly.] No, Takusch, I must 
confess I have never seen the Ark. 

Takusch 

Well, I am sure my grandmother did. She made a 
picture of it, and my mother worked it out on a bead bag. 

Boghos 

[Leaves the window.] Anybody can make a picture of 
anything. 



Takusch 

Well, how could the Ark get down from the top of 
Mount Ararat? Just tell me that. [FMows Boghos.] 

[Badveli crosses to the dooVj left; stands 
looking down the roadj his hand shading 
his eyes.] 

Melkon 

Takusch, you are very much mistaken. My father 
climbed once to the top of Mount Ararat. There's nothing 
there but snow and ice. He was nearly killed, getting 
down, the gullies were so deep and slippery. He said he 
hoped the animals from the Ark had an easier time than 
he did getting down. 

Boghos 
I'd be a rabbit, to run down out of the Ark quick. 

[Santought enters, right, carrying a tray with 
cups, which she places down beside the 
water jar.] 

NUNEFAR 

A deer runs quicker than a rabbit. I'd be a deer. 

Araxi 

I would rather be the dove, to fly down on white wings. 
[Waves her arms as if flying.] 

Aram 
The camel has very long legs. He could jump the 
gullies. I'd be the camel. 

[Enter Zaroohi, right, in festival costume. 
She stands in the doorway holding the cur- 
tain before her, waiting to surprise the chil- 
dren, who do not notice her entrance.] 

Takusch 
I'd be the eagle that flies strongest of all. 

Margos 
Pooh! I'd come down in an airship. 

Melkon 
Funny! There weren't any airships when Noah lived. 

[Zaroohi runs dancing into the centre. The 
children utter ''OKs'' and ''AKs'' of ad- 
miration. Santought clasps her hands.] 

10 



Zaroohi 

And I'd be the nightingale, to sing when I got here, 
among the roses in the moonlight. Or the butterfly, that 
darts from flower to flower in the garden. [Dances about ^ 
imitating a butterfly.] 

Santought 

Just my own little Santought over again. Twenty years 
ago — twenty years — 

[Exits, right. Zaroohi pauses. Takusch 
feels the dress.] 

Takusch 

It's real silk. I had a silk dress once, when I lived in 
Erzeroum. It cost one hundred piasters. 

NUNEFAR 

[Wistfully strokes Zaroohi 's velvet jacket.] And I had a 
velvet jacket once, when we lived in Bitlis. My father was 
a government deputy. We had everything nice, too. 

Araxi 
Real leather shoes? [Points to Zaroohi's shoes.] 

Zaroohi 
Yes, and real stockings. 

BOGHOS 

Who gave it to you? 

Zaroohi 

Aunt Santought. You see, there was nothing else for 
me. It is very precious to her. It belonged to her little 
daughter. She's afraid it was a sin to have kept it hidden. 
But I won't keep it all the time. We'll take turns wearing 
it. 

[A flute in the distance commences to play the 
airof'Kelel Kelef']* 

Badveli 
Children, listen! [The children listen, crossing, left.] 

Zaroohi 

Oh, some shepherd boy on the mountain. [Children run 
out, left.] 

* For music, see Appendix. 

11 



Badveli 

[As the children pass him.] Keep together. Do not go 
cut of sight. 

[Badveli stands at the door, left, watching the 
children. The music continues softly. Enter 
Santought, right, carrying a basket covered 
with a napkin; advances toward Badveli. 
She is nervous and distressed.] 

Santought 

Meggah! If the relief does not come! If America sends 
us no more food! [Music ceases. Badveli approaches 
Santought, who lifts up the corner of the napkin, disclosing 
pieces of bread in the basket.] Eight pieces of bread, BadveH, 
the children's supper; the last crumb of food we have in 
the house. [Re-covers thebread with the napkin.] To-morrow 
I must say, ''Children, there is no breakfast. Laugh and 
sing, forget you are hungry,'' And at noon, ''Children, 
there's no dinner. Sing and laugh again." [As Santought 
speaks, Badveli crosses and sits on the divan, left; leans 
his head on his hands wearily. Santought places the basket 
on the divan beside him; puts her hand on his shoulder.] And 
you, Badveli, you are growing weak. For two days you 
have given your rations to the children, and then you sing 
and play with them to help make them forget. 

Badveli 
The old need less food than the young. 

Santought 

[Desperately.] But the children cannot forget much 
longer that they are hungry. Like thousands of other 
little ones they too will die. Oh, why doesn't the Relief 
come? Surely they must know our corn and beans have 
been eaten, the last fig pulled from our trees; that "govig," 
our little cow, has died from hunger; that winter is com- 
ing on. And if they know, why do they not send us food 
and clothing? 

Badveli 

[Looks up.] Santought, there is bad news. I have not 
wanted to tell you — frighten you. The massacres are 
beginning again in the Caucasus. 

Santought 
No — no — 

Badveli 

It may be impossible for the Relief to get to us. Six 
iiundred Armenians were killed in Shusha yesterday by 
the Turks. 

12 



Santought 
[Clasps her hands above her head; sways hack and forthj 
moaning.] God has forgotten us! 



Badveli 

Do not blame God. Blame men! It is the selfish 
nations of the earth that have forgotten us. God is help- 
less if men refuse to do His will. 



Santought 

We are cursed! We shall be utterly destroyed! Ar- 
menia is lost! 

Badveli 

[RiseSy and comes forward with new spiritual strength.] 
No, never! I was wrong, Santought, in giving way to 
weariness. Armenia cannot be destroyed, not while faith 
survives in the human heart, and justice remains in the 
world. Outnumbered a hundred to one by the worshippers 
of Mohammed, for five hundred years we have fought 
the savage Turk. They have stolen the work of our hands 
and of our brains; they have forced us to sell at unfair 
prices; they have forbidden us to carry arms for our 
own defence; they have murdered us, not because we 
are weak, but because they hated our success, fearing lest 
we might become their masters. We do not desire to 
become their masters, but we will not be their slaves. 
In the Bible, in Second Kings, Armenia is mentioned. So 
old as that we are as a nation. We are not pagans or 
Tartars, but Aryans, like the English — the Americans. 
Twelve years before the Emperor Constantine proclaimed 
Rome Christian, Tiridates, our king, taught by Gregory 
the Illuminator, adopted Christianity as our national 
religion. What, then, shall we, the oldest Christian 
nation upon earth, believe that God will desert us now? 
No! From the pitiful remnant that remains to-day a 
new generation shall arise, strong and beautiful. In the 
past we have had our splendid days of independence; 
we have built our beautiful cities, now lying in ruins; 
we have written our books and made our songs. These 
things shall come again. They may kill our bodies, but 
they cannot kill our souls. 



Santought 
[Who has ceased moaning and swaying as she listens to 
Badveli.] Badveli! Badveli! If this could only be! 

13 



Badveli 

All we ask is opportunity and the hand of a brother 
stretched out to us. Our women, our men, our children 
will work to rebuild our beloved Armenia. [Crosses to the 
ivindow and looks out.] For where is a country more 
beautiful than ours, more fertile? Do they not say of us 
that "in winter our hills are white with snow, in the sum- 
mer, white with sheep"? Nowhere in the world are the 
skies so blue, or the breezes so sweet, or the mountain 
streams so crystal clear, the moonlight so soft and cool 
as here, here in Armenia. 

Santought 
You are right, Badveli. You are right. [The flute is 
heard again in the distance. Santought listens curiously.] 
Who can that be making so much music these days? 

Badveli 
[Crosses J left.] I will go and see. 

[Exits J left. Santought crosses to the door, 
lefty with new vigor , and calls.] 

Santought 
Supper! Supper! Come to supper, children. 

[Crosses to the divan, takes up the basket of 
bread, and stands waiting. The children 
run in, eagerly. Sit down in a half circle 
on the floor. The flute music stops sud- 
denly.] 



Here we are! 
Hands clean? 



BOGHOS 



Santought 



Margos 
Washed them at the well. [Holds up his hands for in- 
spection.] 

NUNEFAR 

[Hums.] "Oats and Beans and Barley O." 

Araxi 
Don^t you wish it was. 

14 



Santought 

Quiet, now. [Children clasp hands, repeat grace in con- 
cert.] 

Children 
O Lord, thank you! Help those who have even less. 
[Santought passes the bread from the rear,] 

Takusch 
Let's pretend it's a party. 

Araxi 

Yes, yes, let's pretend. 

BOGHOS 

[Holds up the bread he takes from the basket.] I've got 
figs. 

NUNEFAR 



[Similar action,] 


Gooseberry jam. 


[Similar action.] 


Melkon 
Plum tart. 


[Similar action.] 


Aram 
Cracknel. 


[Similar action.] 
hungrily.] 


Zaroohi 
Cherry cakes. [Children eat the bread 



Takusch 

If you nibble the bread like a mouse it lasts longer. 
Like this. 

[Nibbles her bread; the children follow her 
example. Santought places the empty 
basket down, and, kneeling, pours water 
from the jar into the cups. Enter, left, 
DiKRAN. He runs in, drops on the floor, 
breathless. He carries a flute, and over his 
back a bag containing two books. Children 
cluster about him, excitedly. Santought 
rises, goes to Dikran, who, holding his 
hand to his side, tries to get his breath.] 

Santought 
[Leans over Dikran.] What is it, boy? [Dikran is 
too breathless to answer.] 

13 



Zaroohi 
He's hungry. [Children offer the bread they have left to 
DiKRAN, all except Aram, who scowlsy hides his bread 
behind his back, and retreats into a corner. Dikran shakes 
his head in refusol of the bread.] WeVe had enough, 
really. 

Dikran • 

No, no, I don't want your bread. 

BOGHOS 

Let's keep it for him. [Passes the basket; the children 
throw into it the bread they have left. Aram surreptitiously 
continues to nibble his bread in the corner.] 

Dikran 
It isn't hunger. It's Hasso. I saw him down there. 
[Points out of the door, left.] 

Santought 
Who's Hasso? [Crosses to door,, left] 

Dikran 
My Kurd master. For two years I've tended his sheep. 
He was cruel. I've run away. He's after me. 

Santought 
[Looks anxiously out of the door.] Badveli, Oh, where 
are you? 

Zaroohi 
[To Dikran.] What is your name? 

Dikran 

Dikran Arakelian. 

Zaroohi 
Dikran — That is the name of one of our great kings. 

Dikran 
Yes, and Arakelian means apostle. My father was a 
banker in Harpoot. [Santought closes and bolts the door.] 
He was killed with the other men. My mother died when 
the zaptieh struck her with a whip. I hid under a rock to 
stay with her. Then for many days — I guess it was 
weeks, I ran — 

16 



Santought 
[Advances sympathetically; puts her hand on Dikran^s 
shoulder.] Don't try to tell us any more, child. We all 
know. Every one of these children here knows — [Turns 
away J wipes her eyes with the corner of her aprortj crosses, 
rear, looks out of the window. Aram slowly conies forward, 
and stealthily y as if ashamed of himself , puts what bread he 
has left into the basket. Santought draws the curtains at 
the window nearly together; peers out through the opening, 
Zaroohi picks up Dikran's flute.] 

Zaroohi 
Were you the shepherd boy we heard? 

DiKRAN 

The music keeps me company. 

Zaroohi 
But weren't you afraid Hasso would hear you? 

DiKRAN 

I thought Hasso was far, far off. [Rises.] But I'm not 
afraid of Hasso. My father told me never to be afraid. 

[Santought suddenly draws the curtains 
together, comes forward, gathers the children, 
who cling to her, frightened.] 



Santought 



Ssh 



Several Children 
Oh! Aunt Santought! Oh! Oh! 

Santought 
[Hurries the children, right,] I will hide you in the old 
dry well under the kitchen floor. [Dikran remains stand- 
ing in center. Santought motions him to follow.] Come, 
with the rest of the children. 



Dikran 

Hasso wants only me. If he doesn't find me he will 
look — 

17 



Zaroohi 
[Runs back to Dikran, the flute in her hand. 
mustn't stay to save us. 



Oh, you 



[Santought pulls Zaroohi away; motions 
again to Dikran, who starts to follow. A 
knock on the door, left. Santought exitSy 
righty with the children. Knock is repeated 
louder. Dikran returns to center defiantly ^ 
swings the hag around from his backj and 
holds it tightly under his arm.] 



[Outside.] Let us in! 



Mehmed 



No. 



[Outside.] 



Dikran 

Mehmed 
Open the door, you Christian dogs! 

[Door is forced open. Enter Mehmed and 
Ali with fixed "bayonets. Dikran does 
not flinch.] 



Mehmed 

Giavour! [Laughs superciliously.] Nice little Christian 
pig, eh, Ali? [Turns to All] 



Ali 
Very good. [Pricks Dikran with the point of his bayonet.] 

Mehmed 

[Crosses to the windoWy throws back the curtains^ beckons 
to some one outside^ returns, grasps Dikran's arm roughly.] 
Where are the others? 



Dikran 
If you want me, I'm here. 



Mehmed 

What are you hiding in that bag? [Snatches the bag 
away from Dikran; pulls it open, takes out two books.] 
Read me the titles. [Dikran hesitates.] Read the titles, 
I say. 

18 



DiKRAN 

[Bravely.] "The History of Vartan;'' ."The Battle of 
Avarair." 

Mehmed 

Books of the infidels! [Pierces the leaves with his bayonet ^ 
Ali dssisting.] 

DiKRAN 

[With blazing eyes tries to save the boohs.] Stop! My 
mother gave me those books. She told me never to part 
with them. [Ali tosses the books out of the window. Dikran 
stamps his foot.] How dare you? 

Mehmed 

Little pious, it is a government crime for an Armenian 
to possess the history of his country. But out of the 
kindness of my heart I spare you if you will tell me where 
is the Badveli's money. 

Dikran 
I don't know. 

[Goes to the window after the books. Turks 
and Kurds with bayonets appear at the win- 
dow. Enter, lefty Shakir and Hasso with 
Badveli, whose arms are hound to his waist 
with a rope. Dikran stands defiantly facing 
the Turks at the window j so thai Hasso does 
not immediately recognize him. Turks thrust 
their bayonets in through the window at 
Dikran.] 

Badveli 
[To Mehmed.] You have no authority to enter this 
house. Leave! 

Mehmed 
[Laughs superciliously.] Ha! ha! The Badveli requests 
a government official to leave. [Hasso and Shakir stand 
behind Badveli. Dikran turns y recognizes Hasso, whispers 
^^ Hasso! '^ retreats y rear lefty where Hasso does not see him, 
Badveli bravely faces Mehmed and All] 



Badveli 
We have no concealed weapons in this house — no food, 
no money, nothing that you want. 

19 



Mehmed 

A good Mohammedan never wants but one thing. 
Swear that Mohammed is the true prophet. 

Badveli 
Never! 

Mehmed 

Jevdet Bey is good. He offers you this chance of safety. 
On to your knees! Say yes. 

Badveli 
[Stands firmly.] No, never! 

Shakir 

Then let's have his money — his church's funds, of 
which he is keeper. 

Mehmed 

Pig of an infidel, your money. [Raises his bayonet with 
menace.] 

Badveli 
There's not a single piaster in the house. 

Mehmed 

Shakir, Hasso, make a search. [Shakir and Hasso exit, 
right.] Pek ayyi, Badveli. Perhaps you have no money. 
We shall see. But where is the silver service of your 
church? 

Badveli 
Sold, long ago, to buy food for the people. 

Mehmed 

Ali, let us loosen his tongue. [Mehmed and Ali try 
to force Badveli to his knees. He struggles against them, 
DiKRAN running to his assistance, and beating Mehmed 
with his fists.] 

DiKRAN 

Stop! Stop! 

[Enter Shakir and Ali, right, dragging San- 
tought, who sinks to her knees.] 

Santought 
Mercy! Mercy! Have pity. [Shakir threatens her 
with his bayonet.] 

20 



Shakir 
Confess Islam. Say ''Salavat!'' "Salavat!'* 

Santought 
[In utter terror . ] " Salavat !'' 

Badveli 

[Speaks with terrible reproach.] Santought! 

[Realizing what she has done^ Santought 
covers her head with her apron, sways hack 
and forth) moaning. Hasso suddenly sees 
DiKRAN, seizes him.] 



Hasso 
So here you are, you scamp, you thief! [Drags him 
before Mehmed.] Mehmed Agha, this is the boy who ran 
away from me. He has warned the Christians. They 
have hidden their money. 



Mehmed 

Pek ayyi! To the wall with the deserter. [Makes a 
sign, whereupon Hasso takes Dikran's right hand, and 
Ali his left; they drag him to the wall, holding him fast 
against it. At the left rear Badveli struggles to free himself 
to go to Dikran's rescue.] 



Badveli 
Kill me. I am old. Save the child! 

[Shakir throws Badveli to the floor. Mehmed 
advances to kill Dikran.] 



DiKRAN 

[With upraised face.] I am not afraid of you. You are 
but shadows on the wall. 

[Mehmed steps forward to strike. Sound of 
horses' hoofs outside, and voice of Major 
Daniels, ''Halt, there!" Mehmed's hand 
holding the bayonet drops. Turks slink 
away from the window. Enter Major 
Daniels, left.] 



21 



Major Daniels 
[Sternly.] What are you doing? Let that boy go. 
[Mehmed and Shakir instantly cringe; salute in military 
fashion. Hasso and Ali drop Dikran; give the peasant 
salute. ^ADYEiA raises himself from the floor. Santought 
uncovers her head; clasps her hands in gratitude. Dikran 
runs to Daniels, who takes a small silk American* flag 
from his pocket and lays it on Dikran' s shoulder,] Now 
touch the child if you dare. 

Badveli 
Thank God! Thank God! 



Mehmed 

[Salutes obsequiously.] We had no ill intention, Major. 
It was only a little bit of innocent pleasantry. 

Major Daniels 

Exactly! The same kind of innocent pleasantry that 
has made this land a slaughterhouse; that has strewn 
the whitening bones of a million innocent human beings 
over pitiful wasted fields; and that is starving millions 
more. Allow me to inform you that this kind of Turkish 
pleasantry is coming to an end, and pretty quickly, too. 
Armenia has helped us bravely in this war, and we big 
nations have a little gratitude in us yet, I hope, and a 
little unselfishness, too. [Points to the door, left.] Now 
get out of here, all of you, quick! 

[Turks and Kurds slink out of the door, left, 
saluting. Dikran, holding the American 
flag in his hand, exits, right. Major 
Daniels unbinds Badveli.] 

Badveli 
Again America has come to save us. 

Santought 
[Moans softly at right, burying her face in her hands.] 
I am lost! I am lost! 

* The Near East Relief Work in the Caucasus is now conducted under 
the superintendency of Colonel Haskell, an American officer, who is the 
High Commissioner of the Paris Conference representing Great Britain, 
France, Italy and the United States. It may be said, therefore, that the 
Relief Work has the protection of any one of these flags. 

22 



Major Daniels 
[Shakes hands with Badveli as he rises.] Sorry to have 
been so delayed, Pastor, with our inspections. But now 
food and clothing are at your door. The Near East 
Relief Committee has requested me to bring them, and 
with the aid of my splendid Armenian interpreter. Lieu- 
tenant Arakelian, I have been able to do so. [Crosses to 
door, left; beckons. Badveli hurries to Santought joy- 
ously.] 

Badveli 
Santought — did you hear — the relief has come! 

Santought 
I have denied my religion. I am lost! I am lost! I 
have said ''Salavat.^' 

Badveli 

[Lays his hand on Santought' s bowed head ] No, San- 
tought, you are not lost. 

Santought 
[Looks up with astonishment.] You don't think I can be 
forgiven ! 

Badveli 

God will understand. [Santought rises joyously; turns 
toward the door, right.] Children! Children! [Exits quickly, 
right. Badveli and Major Daniels approach each other.] 

Major Daniels 
Yes, this Arakelian is one of the bravest fellows I've met. 
He lost his wife and boy in the massacre at Harpoot, where 
he used to be one of the leading citizens, a banker, I think. 
He'll be in, in a moment, with the supplies. I want you to 
know him. 

Badveli 
How did he escape? 

Major Daniels 
Feigned death; fooled the zaptiehs. Searched for his 
wife and child. Found his wife only to bury her. Never 
found the boy. Crept north, hiding in the mountains, 
eating berries, drinking dew, till he reached the Armenian 
volunteers in the Caucasus. 

23 



Badvelt 

Yes, yes, I know. The new Armenian army for defence. 
Thousands there are of our men ready. [Takes out a new 
flag of red, blue and orange from his pocket.] Major, do you 
know what our Arshaluis is? 

Major Daniels 
The first light, isn't it, on your hills in the morning? 

Badveli 

Yes, the promise of a new day. Such a light is dawning 
now in our hearts. [Unfolds the flag.] And this is the 
symbol of our hope, the flag of our Nation, — New 
Armenia! 

[Lifts the flag. Enter Dikran, right, carrying 
the hooks torn hy the Turks, and the Ameri- 
can flag of Major Daniels. An instant 
later Lieutenant Arakelian appears in 
the doorway, left, with baskets of supplies.] 

Major Daniels 
Come in. Lieutenant Arakelian. Come in! 

[Lieutenant Arakelian enters. He and 
DiKRAJSi face each other. An instanVs pause, 
then recognition. Dikran drops his books 
and flag; springs toward Lieutenant Ara- 
kelian with outstretched arms cLud joyous 
cry. Badveli picks up Dikran' s books 
and the flag; places the books on the divan, 
retains the flag.] 

Dikran 
Father! Father! [Lieutenant Arakelian drops the 
baskets; clasps Dikran.] 

Lieutenant Arakelian 

Dikran! My boy! My boy! Oh, it can't be. But it is, 
it is! [Badveli and Daniels look on astonished at first, 
then smile at each other understandingly .] 

Badveli 
A miracle! 

Major Daniels 
I've a boy myself at home in St. Louis. He deserves it 
— Arakelian — deserves it. 

24 



Lieutenant ArakeLian 
[Holding Dikran in tender embrace.] Dikran! My 
Dikran ! 

[The children are heard outside singing the 
Armenian song, *^The Sure Hope.''* As 
they sing they enter, right, with Santought. 
Badveli stands, center, holding the two 
flags, Major Daniels beside him. The 
children group themselves around them, with 
Santought at the right, and Lieutenant 
Arakelian and Dikran at the left. They 
stand so until the conclusion of the song.] 

Finale 



Note. — Immediately upon the close 
of the children's song the speaker steps 
forward and makes the appeal. 



• For music, see Appendix. 



25 



APPENDIX 



NOTE 



In producing this sketch, the following general sugges- 
tions may be found helpful. Appoint a Director, to whom 
the heads of the committees should be responsible. These 
committees should be (1) Committee on the Appeal, (2) 
Production Committee, (3) Costume Committee, (4) Prop- 
erty Committee. The Director should be chairman of the 
Committee on the Appeal, be responsible for the finances, 
the funds collected, the speaker and the publicity. The 
Production Committee should select the cast, conduct the 
rehearsals and take charge of the performance, as to the 
lighting, the prompting, the music, the raising and lower- 
ing of the curtain, the exits and entrances of the charac- 
ters, etc. The chairman of this committee should be a 
dramatic coach. The Costume Committee provides the 
costumes, and assists the players in dressing for the per- 
formance. The Property Committee obtains the neces- 
sary properties, the scenery, etc., and sees that the stage 
is properly set and ready for the performance. 

If a platform is used, and no drop curtain or flies can 
be provided, use several large screens so placed as to sug- 
gest a window in the rear, and entrances to left and right. 
In this case the sketch can open with the entrance of the 
Badveli and the children singing the song of the game 
^'Oats and Beans," etc. Hangings may be effectively used 
instead of set scenery. The divans can be made of boxes 
covered with drapery, also the window seat. A simple 
back drop of the peak of Mount Ararat can be painted, 
using the reverse side of any scene canvas or heavy 
muslin. If there are no footlights, use calcium spot lights 
from the rear of the auditorium, or flood lights from the 
side of the platform. Blue bunch lights placed at the back 
of the platform between the scenery, or the hangings and 
the back drop, will give the effect of distance. 

The costumes may be simplified, and made easily at 
home. A good way is to have each person in the cast 
responsible for his own costume. A little ingenuity will 
work wonders. For instance, the Lieutenant's cap may 

26 



be made from an old muff, or piece of black astrakhan. If 
each person attends to his own costume, the Costume 
Committee shall see that a complete description be given 
each one. 

If it is desired to give the sketch out of doors, the scene 
can be the garden of the parsonage, with the entrance to 
the house on the right, and the entrance to the road on 
the left through a gate. The garden should be surrounded 
by a low wall, and there could be a background of grape- 
vines on trellises. Use stone benches instead of divans. 
The same general scheme of action can be carried out. 

If the details of the sketch can be carried out according 
to the descriptions, the effect will be a faithful picture of 
Armenian life in a mountain village in the Caucasus. 



ARRANGEMENT OF SCENE 



REAR 

Back Drop 



Wal I 
Window 



I 

CD 




.Scroll 



Seat 




r 
m 
•n 

H 



Entrance to 
Kitchen 



Entrance to 
Garden 



Q Brazier 



«- O O O O 



O O O O O 
Foot*light$ 

FRONT 







Hooks y 
O — ' 



27 



DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTERS AND 
COSTUMES 

Badveli Mardirosian — Sixty years. Kindly appear- 
ance. Wears full beard, touched with gray. Long, 
black clerical coat, buttoning close about the chin, 
dark trousers, heavy shoes. Clothes neat, but worn. 

DiKRAN — Twelve years, straight, brave in manner, thin. 
Wears a piece of old sackcloth tied about his waist, 
and a turban of dull gray after the Kurd fashion. 
Barefoot. Carries a flute and a bag tied over his back 
containing two books. The bag is made of a square 
of bright cloth, the ends tied together, and a string 
put through the loop. 

Aunt Santought — Fifty years. Peasant type. Plain, 
tight waist, fastened in front, of faded striped linen 
or cotton. A ^'shalvar," which is a full bifurcated 
skirt of similar material (or a full long skirt), a full 
apron, coming together in the back, of a different 
color. White stockings, worn low shoes. Hair in two 
braids, and covered by a scarf of gauzy red cloth, 
made of a square piece of cloth, usually of Persian 
design, folded triangularly, and pinned about the fore- 
head, the points hanging down in the back. 

Major Daniels — Forty years. Uniform of a major in 
the American army. Clean shaven. 

Lieutenant Arakelian — Thirty-five years. Tall and 
athletic. Uniform of the Armenian volunteers. High 
fur cap (called a " pakpah '0 ? bands of shining cartridges 
crossed and recrossed over his breast and about his 
waist, a revolver and a field glass at his belt, uniform 
of greenish drab cotton, high black Russian boots. 
Clean shaven. 

Mehmed and Shakir, Turks — Uniform of Turkish sol- 
dier, something like the German, of dark drab, with 
fez, bayonets and boots. Large mustachios. 

Hasso and Ali, Kurds — Kurd peasant costume. Pointed 
shoes, the points turned up. Bright socks, white 
baggy trousers, held at waist with voluminous belt 
of various colors, ordinary soft white shirt, with long 
sleeve. The sleeve has a long strip hanging down 
from the wrist, or tied about the neck, to hold it up 

28 



if desired. Sleeveless jacket of drab felt. T^Jhite or 
colored skullcap, round which, as a turban, is wound 
a long silk tasseled scarf. In belt great numbers of 
knives, with bands of cartridges over shoulder. A 
looped rope at belt. (This costume may be approxi- 
mated by use of full bloomers, a soft shirt tied with 
wide belt, and a bright cap.) Mustachios. Carry 
long guns. 

Children — Select slender children, and make them up 
to suggest emaciation. Do not overdo it, however. 
They are all barefooted, and their costumes, except 
Zaroohi^s, makeshifts. 

Takusch — Eight years. Child of peasant type. Hair in 
six braids. Armenian peasant dress. Short, tight 
waist, full skirt gathered on waist. Dress faded and 
worn. 

NuNEFAR — Nine years. Hair in four braids. Dull ragged 
red dress, bound with Persian girdle. 

Araxi — Six years. Short hair. Dress of American 
kimono type. 

Zaroohi — Twelve years. Child of delicate beauty. Ar- 
menian festival costume. Silk skirt and waist, black 
embroidered velvet jacket, bright embroidered apron, 
hair in braids, veil on head, with ends hanging down 
rear, white stockings, red low shoes. 

Melkon — Twelve years. Old boy scout costume. 

BoGHOs — T^n years. Full dirt-colored ragged cotton 
trousers, white shirt. 

Aram — Six years. Scant one-piece garment slit at sides 
and tied about the waist. 

Margos — Eight years. Similar to Aram^s costume. 



29 



Armenian Polk Song 



KELE KELE 

FLUTE SOLO 




Trans, by Alice Slone Blacb^^II 



THE SURE HOPE 



Arr.byK.H.AIQOTTNl 




Let the wind blow cold, let it beat my face, Let the clouds a- bove hea-vy snow-flakes i ^, 

Let the hea-vy clouds make the clear sky dark, Let the dense fogs cov - er the earth from si^t, 
Let harshtri-als come, per- se-cu- tions rage,. And the light growdim of the sun on high; 




jet the north wind blow, rag.ing all it will, Yet I live in hope soon or late comes spring. 
Let the el - e-ments be to-geth-er mixed. Yet I know the sun will a-gain be bright. 
To Ar • me • nian hearts, pain is naught to dread- But the poor mads hope must not fade and die! 




Copyrigbt 1919 ^j The Qotchoag fu^Cfii 



OATS AND BEANS AND BARLEYO 



How oats and beans and bar • ley grow, How oats and beans and bar • ley grow, Do 



you or I or an - y one know How oats and beans and bar - ley grow? 




Stanq)8 his foot and claps his hand. And turns Kim round to view the land. Yo hoi 
Reprinted by Permissioo of Tbe Macmillaa Cotopaoyi Publishers of Hornby^ "The Joyous Book of Sieging < 



30 




e 009 563 424 2 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

** Great populations £ 
desert where there is no 
and they are compelled to 
and children are thrown : 
imperfectly covered up . 
pitiful arm stretched out to heaven; is there no 
pity in the world? When shall we awake to the 
moral responsibilities of this great occassion? " — 
President Wilson, in address on Armenia, at 
Kansas City, Sept. 6, 1919. 



James L. Barton, Chairman. 
Henry Morgenthau, H. C. Jaquith, 

Vice-Chairman. Assistant Secretary. 

Charles V. Vickrey, Cleveland H. Dodge, 

Secretary. Treasurer. 

Executive Committee. 

James L. Barton. Herbert C. Hoover. 

Edwin M. Bulkely. William B. Millar. 

Cleveland H. Dodge. Henry Morgenthau. 

Abram I. Elkus. Edgar Rickard. 

Harold A. Hatch. * Charles V. Vickrey. 
Alexander J. Hemphill. Stanley White. 



Trustees. 



James L. Barton. 
Charles E. Beury. 
Arthur J. Brown. 
Edwin M. Bulkely. 
John B Calvert. 
W. I. Chamberlain. 
Charles R. Crane. 
Robert J. Cuddihy. 
Cleveland E. Dodge. 
Cleveland H. Dodge. 
Charles W. Eliot. 
Abram I. Elkus. 
James, Cardinal Gibbons. 
William I. Haven. 
Harold A. Hatch. 
Howard Heinz. 
Alexander J. Hemphill. 
Myron T. Herrick. 
Hamilton Holt. 
Charles E. Hughes. 
Herbert C. Hoover. 
Frank W. Jackson. 
Harry Pratt Judson. 
Arthur Curtiss James. 
Frederick Lynch. 
Chas. S. MacFarland. 
Vance C. McCormick. 



J. H. T. Main. 
H. B. F. MacFarland. 
Henry Morgenthau. 
William B. Millar. 
John R. Mott. 
Frank M. North. 
George A. Plimpton. 
Wm. Cooper Proctor. 
Philip Rhinelander. 
Edgar Rickard. 
Elihu Root. 
Wm. J. Schieffelin. 
George T. Scott. 
Albert Shaw. 
William Sloane. 
Walter George Smith. 
Edward Lincoln Smith. 
Robert E. Speer. 
James M. Speers. 
Oscar S. Straus. 
William H. Taft. 
Charles V. Vickrey. 
Harry A. Wheeler. 
Stanley White. 
Ray Lyman Wilbur. 
Talcott Williams. 
Stephen S. Wise. 



** In my opinion, in the Near East is the most 
desperate situation in the v^orld." — Herbert 
Hoover, in a statement, Oct. 15, 1919. 



s>^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




